Sometimes you can only real hear how good a song is after you hear someone else do their own interpretation of it.
While there are plenty of incredible songs in the world, sometimes the person who writes a song has a particular delivery or inflection that doesn’t fit perfectly with us.
Once you create something, it essentially has a life of its own—people can take it and do whatever they want with it. Though plenty of covers don’t rise to the quality of the originals, sometimes musicians can find a deeper or better angle or a song that brings it to life again.
And that was definitely the case on this performance from the 2019 season of America’s Got Talent.
As the clip begins, four men and women walk out on stage to a big round of applause.
After facing the judges, they go down the line introducing themselves as both veterans and active members of the US military.
As a group, they are known as Voices of Service, and they’re appearing on America’s Got Talent to raise awareness of just how powerful music and musical therapy can be for veterans dealing with PTSD. As they explain, what soldiers see in battle can stay with them for years and years after the fight is over.
Fortunately, the creative outlet of music can be a salve and a way to find peace.
With all that said, the judges clear the way for them to perform.
As the singers explain, they would sometimes spontaneously start singing together even while they were overseas, just to bring themselves a little peace. Finally, they get started singing “Rise” by Katy Perry.
Although it may seem like an unusual choice, it’s clear from the very first notes that these four are going to bring their own perspective to the song. Their voices ring out so clearly and powerfully, and the harmonies they achieve give the crowd goosebumps.
Before long, everyone in the crowd is cheering along with them!
As the song continues, the melodies and harmonies build and build.
Before long, the crowd gets on their feet in solidarity with the performance. Things get more and more dramatic as they go on. As the group says at the beginning, their goal on the show was to provide hope and love to anyone who needed it.
Perhaps because of Katy Perry’s background as a Gospel singer, that uplifting and inspirational intention behind the song really shines through when Voices of Service performs it! Towards the end, the group hits a few last major notes and brings everything to a close.
When it’s over, the crowd explodes with applause!
Though it goes without saying, soldiers and veterans make huge personal sacrifices for their country.
For some people, the pressure of readjusting to life at home can be just as difficult as being in combat, just in new ways. By performing on America’s Got Talent, Voices of Service reminded everyone about that difficulty while still showing a way to see themselves through the hard times.
Without a doubt, music can be helpful in keeping us calm and peaceful. Above all, all four members of the group have incredible voices as well!
Thanks to Voices of Service for their service and for a great performance! Watch the full clip through the link below:
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